Kaupang in Skiringssal

In Norway, not far from Oslo, archaeologists have uncovered Norway's largest Viking trading town. With its houses, workshops and burial sites Kaupang covered an area of about 50 decares (12.5 acres). The site lies in a small inlet, protected from the sea by two small islands. The sheltered location [...]
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In Norway, not far from Oslo, archaeologists have uncovered Norway's largest Viking trading town. With its houses, workshops and burial sites Kaupang covered an area of about 50 decares (12.5 acres). The site lies in a small inlet, protected from the sea by two small islands. The sheltered location would have allowed sailing ships to travel in and out whatever the wind direction, perfect for the seafaring Vikings. Among the finds are walrus-tusk ivory from the north for the royal courts of the Continent, and soapstone containers from the Roman Empire on their way to wealthy households in Sweden and Denmark. In the 900s trading activities moved gradually to Toensberg farther north-east in Vestfold, and Kaupang slid into obscurity. This volume is the first in a series of eight publications on the important Kaupang excavations.